EzineArticles - Expert Authors Sharing Their Best Original Articles


  Submit Articles
  Members Login
  Benefits
  Expert Authors
  Read Endorsements
  Editorial Guidelines
  Author TOS

  Terms of Service
  Ezines / Email Alerts
  Manage Subscriptions
  EzineArticles RSS

  Blog
  Forums
  About Us
  What's New
  Contact Us
  Article Writing Shop
  Advertising
  Affiliates
  Privacy Policy
  Site Map


Advanced Search


Lance Winslow - EzineArticles.com Expert Author  

Greetings to Everyone, I am a retired Franchisor, Business Consultant, Philantropist and I run a Think Tank, as well as do a lot of Traveling, Writing, Cycling, Flying, Volunteering & enjoy life to the fullest. (no religion). Have dabbled in local and regional Politics. Over Achiever Family Most of our ancestors came over on the Mayflower. I am the grandson of a Nuclear Physicist at (SLAC) who wrote 70 research papers (applied science). My ... [More]

[View Lance Winslow's Extended Author Bio]

[Display Categories] Sort By [Title] [Newest] [Oldest]

Displaying 1 - 250 of 20,849 [Prev] [Next]
  • Two Great Country Songs You Should Consider and Own!
    [Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Music-Reviews] The other day I found myself running out to buy a couple of country songs for my motor home travels. I was looking for something inspirational, motivational, and something that spoke to the heart, maybe I am getting soft in my middle age; no, not! But nevertheless, I decided on two songs I've heard before often enough on the radio.


  • Do You Want Your Cross Cultural Relationship to Work?
    [Relationships:Cross-Cultural] Cross cultural relationships can be a wonderful thing, as they are exciting, interesting, and educational, but they do take considerable work, and you have to pay attention, especially in the beginning. If you've never been in a cross-cultural relationship because you were afraid, I'd recommend you listen to the song; "I Hope You Dance," by Lee Ann Womack. Do it now, then you may read the rest of my article.


  • Online Dating and Relationships - Keep Them Fun With Sweet Gifts
    [Relationships:Online-Dating] Online Relationships; Keep Them Fun with Sweet Gifts Want your online relationships to work? Well, why not get creative, try something new, and apply it to your Internet Relationship? Not too long, we were having this conversation at our Think Tank, which is also online, we were trying to figure out how folks could make their long-distance relationships shine online, holding that bond together.


  • Long Distance Relationships and Friendships - Find Something to Discuss, Talk About Nothing
    [Relationships:Long-Distance] Philosophers have often wondered if nothing exists. Some in the past have considered that in deep-space there is nothing, but now scientists know that just isn't so. In fact, there is estimated an atom or particle of matter no less than every cubic yard, no not much, but there is "something" there, not nothing. Not long ago, I asked an accomplished acquaintance; "Have you ever thought about; "Nothing" if so, it is something. Nothing or No-Thing, doesn't actually exist you see?"Indeed, they too had considered this and stated; "Yes, I'm not a "nothing" thinker. If I'm thinking about nothing, it's really not nothing since as you note, nothing doesn't exist."


  • Legal Challenges of Divorce - Think Your Personal Economic Situation is Tough Now?
    [Legal:Family-Law-and-Divorce] The number one cause of divorce is well known by all, and it has nothing to do with cheating spouses, incompatibility, growing apart, or mother-in-laws. We all know that financial hardship is the main reason for divorces. Well, "if you think your financial situation is less than stellar now," says one local divorce attorney, "then just wait until after you get my bill, and then take a look at your personal balance sheet, or what's left of it, that is!"


  • Is Badminton Even a Real Sport - You Bet it Is - I'll Explain
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Badminton] When people think of sports they very rarely consider Badminton one of them, but it is a real sport and it can be a really tough sport at the higher levels. It is very popular around the world, and fun to play. In fact, anyone can play the game without too much training, but for the world badminton players, it's fierce competition, and they mean business!


  • Speed of Blade Paramount in Fencing
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Fencing] The sport of fencing today is so much different than it has ever been in past human history. Even in recent history, and in the Olympic Games of the last few decades the sport has vastly improved due to high-tech materials and faster blades.


  • Price of Beer Getting You Down - Home Brewing Kits Discussed
    [Food-and-Drink:Home-Brewing] Indeed, I guess it goes without saying that not all home brewing kits are created equal, and it also goes without saying that if you want to produce a quality beer with a decent head, one you could float a bottle cap on, as if it was the first beer out of the keg, then you need to pay attention. You must study the various home brewing kits, and understand the chemistry and physics behind how it all works and why.


  • Music Instruction and the Need to Explain Tinnitus to Students Considered
    [Arts-and-Entertainment:Music-Instruction] Not too long ago, I had the most fascinating conversation with a retired New York Symphony Conductor who was on vacation in my town, he was relaxing and glad to have an intellectual conversation at the El Paso Drive, Starbucks in Palm Desert, CA. We talked for quite a while and it occurred to me that he obviously was an East Coaster, and had a New York style mindset when it came to politics - all well and good, although he was vacationing in a rather conservative area here.


  • One of the Fastest Sports on Four Legs - Greyhound Dog Racing
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Greyhound-Racing] It is indeed truly amazing the ultimate speed of man's best friend, and whereas, the Cheetah, Horse, and Gazelle appear to be the fastest land animals, they are not too far ahead of the greyhound, which often clocks in at just under 35 miles per hour. This of course, gives us a slightly longer race than the championship horse races, but not much. And did you know that bets as large as one-million dollars have been placed on greyhound race dogs in England? With that kind of money on the line, it sure draws in the crowds to watch these amazing animals.


  • Child Custody, Dead Beat Dad Syndrome, and the Legal Challenges of the Unemployed
    [Legal:Child-Custody] It probably goes without saying that the chronic unemployment of many is going to severely hurt single mom's as they try to collect child support from their former husband, or the father of their child. It's a real problem, and putting the dad in jail doesn't seem to be the answer either, thus, many courts are now in the same catch-22 as the fathers themselves. Meanwhile, moms must feed their children and are worried about losing their incomes as well, that is if they haven't already been laid off.


  • Will the Evolutionary History of the Softball Embrace Carbon-Nanotube Materials?
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Softball] For those of us who love the sport of softball, we've watched the softball evolve over our lifetime. Well, god willing it is about to take another giant leap in innovation further propelling this evolution, that is if the Softball Associations, and National and World Softball sport organizational bodies will allow it. How so you ask? Well, let me explain, you see; Carbon Nano Tube and Graphene Coatings are prime materials for the future of the softball.


  • Good News For Women - Crime is Down, But You Still Need to Consider Self Defense
    [Womens-Interests:Self-Defense] It is a reality that crime in the United States is way down, and that violent crime is also down. So too, are crimes against women? Why you ask? Several reasons are speculated, but personally I believe it is due to all these personal tech devices with digital camera and video. A mobile society with rapid communication, plus the fast police response associated with that same communication technology, gives criminals reason to temper their behavior.


  • Cornell Alumni Have it All For a Lifetime - Magazine Review
    [Book-Reviews:Magazines] Most all major universities in the United States to my knowledge have an alumni publication, newsletter, or magazine. But they are not all created equally, let me explain. You see, as the coordinator for an Internet style think tank, I have the opportunity to take many university publications. One that I thoroughly enjoy and very much understand why the Cornell Alumni is so incredibly loyal to their alma mater is the Cornell Alumni Magazine, published by Cornell Alumni Federation, six times a year, ISSN: 1548-8810.


  • Need Industry Information on the Latest Water Technologies - Trade Journal Review
    [Book-Reviews:Magazines] Are you a water professional, well if you are you'd know it, and if you are may I suggest one of the very best Magazines in the Industry? It is a magazine I subscribe to as the coordinator for an Internet style think tank.


  • "Tax on Wealthy Leaves Only One Option," States Winslow
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Not long ago, I met a very outspoken individual online, he happened to have the same last name as I did; Winslow. We got to talking politics and about economics and he made some rather interesting comments about the Obama Administration and the promises for tax increases on the wealthy, no nothing new, the same comments he made to ole' Joe The Plumber during the election, when then Junior Senator Obama stated, "Come on Man, share the wealth a little!"


  • Magazine Review - Best Trade Journal For Plastics, Carbon Composites, and Reinforcements
    [Book-Reviews:Magazines] If you are into manufacturing anything made out of composite, high-tech plastic, or any combination of foam, polymer, carbon, or similar material then there is only one magazine I recommend to you. You see, as the Founder of a think tank, which is online we read this magazine from cover to cover. You will find articles on the composites used in private space flight, UAVs, and even the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner!


  • Are We About to Get a Flash Crash in the Forex Market - I Believe We Are
    [Finance:Currency-Trading] Perhaps, you thought it was rather insane to learn that 80% of the US stock market volume on some days has been that of high-frequency computer trading. That is to say Artificial Intelligent systems running batches of various algorithms holding trades no longer than a mere 8-11 seconds maximum, where anything over 5-seconds is considered "going long" or something like that? This is what caused the flash crash, and yes, your favorite big banks and mine, those we bailed out are all in with these computer servers sitting on top of Internet Hub routing networks.


  • Toy Products Review and Why I Like Bratz Dolls
    [Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Toys] Have you seen the Bratz Dolls, yes, they are most likely made in China like everything else, but they are really cool, even for an adult. Not long ago, I was having a conversation about this with a doll collector small business person in my city, and he took one out of the box and explained the Bratz Doll significance. Indeed, they are a cut above. Then not more than a week after learning all about the Bratz Doll Brand, I learned even more in a financial newspaper.


  • Arizona's Challenges With Red Light Cameras Considered
    [Legal:Traffic-Law] Scottsdale Arizona was one of the first major cities to implement red light cameras at major intersections. The program became so successful, that they put them throughout the city, and other neighboring cities did the same thing. In fact, they found that when they put in the cameras that read license plates for those who go through red lights, they noted that more people were stopping for red lights, and they were able to decrease the amount of yellow-light sequence by almost a second.


  • Anthropology, Sociology, Mythology, Nursery Rhymes, and What We Should Be Thinking Here
    [News-and-Society:Anthropology-Sociology] Far too often cultures clash because they do not understand the significant of the other. Interestingly enough, many cultural, religious, or spiritual realm norms of a past, present, or future society or civilization has deep meaning, and it is completely relevant. I'd like to send your mind on a quick journey and into a thought process of such topics, even if you are not one to care much for the subject.


  • Women's Topic - Beauty Products and Natural Looking Nails Considered
    [Womens-Interests:Beauty-Products] Have you ever noticed how much care and attention goes into female nails? If you ever go to the beach or to a place where everyone is wearing sandals, you will see how many women have their toe nails looking spiffy, and finger nails to match. But what if you are one who wished to have your nails look natural, like they did when you were in your teens? Well, lets' talk about this because just the other day, I purchased the most amazing product from an Israeli Company with a cart inside the mall.


  • Continuing Education Critical, But Often Mandated Ongoing Education is Out of Control
    [Reference-and-Education:Continuing-Education] Most would agree that licensed professionals need to go through ongoing education in order to stay up on their craft. And many believe that by doing this regulators can make sure they do not break the law. This is all fine and good, except that often regulators are making laws so quickly, they are stifling the very enterprises they are trying to keep above board and in compliance to help the clients, consumer, and customers. At some point too much ongoing education or continuing education causes a problem and let me explain.


  • Human Biology Topic - Will a Dirty Bomb in a Major Populated City Cause Havoc?
    [Reference-and-Education:Biology] Indeed, I'd say we all know that radiation is a real problem for the human biosystem, and this is why it is so carefully used in modern medicine and why the world is so worried about a terrorist threat or rogue nation state with nuclear weapons. Now then, it has been said and clearly stated by intelligence agencies around that world that Al Qaeda, and its followers are still attempting to get nuclear material. Material such as cesium, plutonium, or uranium whether it is enriched or not, to be used as a dirty bomb.


  • Why You Should Choose a Ford Transit Van For Your Small Company
    [Automotive:Vans] Perhaps, you are one of the small businesses which has noticed your customers coming back, and you are watching the recession slowly ending. Perhaps, you are considering expanding your business and maybe getting a commercial vehicle to help you make deliveries, or to help you in servicing your clients, customers, or new consumers. If so I'd like to recommend a Ford Transit Van as a potential vehicle to use, and I have many reasons for recommending this particular vehicle.


  • Interview With Inventor and Patent Holder of the Air Channeler System For Trucks
    [Business:Industrial-Mechanical] Let's face it every trucking company, distributor, army, or agency which has to move fuel, cargo, freight, people, or essentials from one place to another definitely needs fuel efficient transportation. And if you know much about aerodynamics once you get around 50 mph your co-efficient of drag curve goes hyperbolic. You need to have an aerodynamic truck and an aerodynamic trailer. But how can you design such a system without costing you space capacity or hampering your ease of use on the truck trailer?


  • Interview With Aircraft Designer and Innovator Joseph Hutterer of Wichita Kansas
    [Business:Interviews] Not long ago, I noted a small conservative ad in the Wall Street Journal Investment Section, indeed, a 20+ year aviation engineer, is now going to build a new super efficient aircraft, a cabin class twin engine, but with a revolutionary design, like nothing you'd ever seen before. We got to talking about his outstanding qualifications, design, future prototype, and the business model itself.


  • A Think Tank's Thoughts and Take on LED Lighting and Eco-Innovation
    [News-and-Society:Eco-Innovations] If we are truly interested in saving money in our homes, non-profits, government agencies, and businesses then we need more efficiency. Let's put it this way; "Waste is Evil!" And if you think like that you can win. Let me explain and let's take a look at some revolutionary uses of LED Lighting and eco-innovation shall we?


  • Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China LTD "CACC" is Producing an Airliner - The C919
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Aviation-Airplanes] China is very good at copying US and European technologies, while dutifully calling it their own. In the past it has almost been as if International Patent Rights simply did not apply to anything made in China.


  • Why on Earth Did They Fire Shirley Sherrod For Something She Did 20-Years Ago?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Shirley Sherrod admitted to using her position to deny a loan to a farmer because they were white, albeit 20-years ago, and she admitted it was racist and she had come to terms with her own racism. Well, that one act was one of racism in her position; it was unacceptable. Either way, she did that. And she was speaking to others who may or may not have done or are currently doing the same.


  • We Can Trust Professionals Which Are Members of Associations With Ethics Agreements
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Many consumers, customers, and clients of professionals in law, accounting, banking, medicine, real estate, investments, insurance, and consulting believe that they can trust these individuals due to their high ethical standing and integrity. Let's discuss this because the other day just such a so-called professional told me of an organization they founded, which became a regulating body for their industry; Professional Coaching. You see, "every person that is a member has to sign an Ethics Agreement annually."


  • How Can We Trust the Rating Agencies Now?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Part of the Global Economic crisis' cause was the fact that rating agencies were stamping real estate bundled CDOs as triple-A rated, when they were much closer to junk. Question is who was watching the watchers - answer; No Body, who wasn't in the ballpark and I guarantee you he's not on first base. And where were those wonderful regulators? Who knows, probably at some party sponsored by Bernie Madoff for all I know.


  • If I Have to Look at That BP Underwater Picture One More Time - I Am Going to Scream!
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Okay so, let me get this straight we cannot read an article about the BP oil spill or watch a TV segment on this story without seeing an underwater picture of the well, the well cap, gushing methane, or now bubbles. Bubble! Please, I don't need to see pictures of bubbles, and if you are going to show me these underwater deep sea pictures from a robotic Underwater Unmanned Tele-robotic craft, at least pan out, pan in, or show me a panoramic view. I mean even the Mars Rover did that!


  • Adam Smith, Well, He Was Right!
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Right now we have a huge problem with the incestuous relationship of government and big business, where regulations are made to help corporations (thanks to lobbyists and campaign contributions) all in the name of protecting the economy and consumer, while giving a leg up for corporations over their small business competition (for products and for the overall consumer dollar). Thus, we end up creating barriers to entry, low job growth (small business employs 80% of the workers in the USA), and hardship, while allowing corporations to offshore, skip out on taxes, control whole sectors and market segments. That's...


  • What is With All These So-Called Coaches All of a Sudden?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Ten years ago, there were very few folks with the label or Coach, and generally these were sports coaches, or folks specialized in various niches. Today, my gosh, almost everyone I meet claims to be a coach, and interestingly enough most of them do not know a thing about high-achievers, and wouldn't even know one if they met one. In fact, they themselves are not well achieved either.


  • Dalian City China and the Crude Oil Pipeline Considered?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Pipelines filled with crude oil don't just blow up for no reason, and yet, there is no word about why the giant pipeline explosion and fire occurred in Dalian City, home to China's largest oil port. But let's discuss the possible causes, or culprits in this hypothetical. First, remember this is just a discussion, and pure speculation, but I'll give you some background as I go.


  • Iran Must Drop "Politically Correct" Talk If it Wishes to Negotiate With the USA
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Amendinejad, the President of Iran, appears to believe that he can continually play the "politically correct" card in the Global Media to serve his political will in negotiating with the UN, IAEA, and the USA, but it's not working. There is a simple reason for this, namely that Iran continually does only what it sees fit, and fails to listen to the politically correct line of reasoning, while demanding that others are overly conciliatory to his demands. That isn't going to work, in fact, it's akin to race baiting, something that folks in the US are fed up with.


  • State-run Mandatory Babysitting, I Mean Preschool - Already Dummying-Down Our Kids
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] So, what do these brilliant 'educational specialists' in Washington DC want to do now? Well, it appears they cannot seem to teach our kids to read or write anymore, or think for that matter. So, to make sure they pass all the tests of the No Child Allowed to Advance Program, they are going to start them all out earlier. Yep, mandatory preschool, as if they need more time to brain wash our kids and dummy-down society - that's just great I tell you? More babysitting and guess who has to pay for it all? Yep, hey you are two-for-two - You and me the taxpayer!


  • So Exactly Who Were These Russian Spies Living As Middle Class Americans Anyway?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Apparently, the Russian spies in the USA were acting just like other Americans. Are spies from other nations doing the same? After all, Russia is hardly the only nation with spies in the US, there must be at least 50 nations with spies here in America.


  • The American Indians Said the Whiteman Spoke With a Forked Tongue - Not the Only Ones!
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] When the white men spread out and settled throughout America they told the Indians that they came in peace. Later they took their land, and when the Indians fought back, they slaughtered them and moved them off their lands to reservations. The Indians noted right away that the white men lied, and said they spoke with a forked tongue, a reference to a lizard, or snake. Those are harsh words, but history shows they were warranted.


  • The Future of Off Shore Oil Drilling Could Be Bright Or Dark and Murky
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] For anyone who follows the energy news, that is to say the real energy news not this nonsense about alternative energy and how wind turbines are going to save America from fossil fuels; knows that China is trying to make a deal with Cuba to drill off their coast for oil. Yes in waters very close to US Shorelines and right smack in the middle of the loop current. If you think the US has a regulatory issue or lax safety standards, wow, you haven't seen anything yet.


  • You Can't Trust Humans With Money
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Is the US going to become the next Greek Tragedy ask many? No, probably not, as the FED can always print their way out of any crisis. Still, where does that leave the rest of all of us? The US taxpayer does not owe the interest on debt philosophically speaking, they had nothing to do with the nonsense of Wall Street, or the politicians spending money with corporations for government contracts, in order to collect campaign contributions from those very companies.


  • What Possesses People to Risk it All and Go For It - Long Distance Adventures
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Sailing] There is something to be said for the human spirit, something wonderful indeed. Not all people are living their dreams, not all are willing to risk it all, but they choose to live life as it was meant to be lived, for the thrill of adventure, and the chance to shine. For those I salute you, you are my inspiration. Let me explain.


  • Business Travelers Welcome!
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Budget-Travel] If you are a business traveler you may not realize it, but you are a hot commodity right now; that's right. Unfortunately, this prize customer has been in hiding ever sense the global economic crisis. Today, the hospitality, rental car, airline, and hotel industries are noticing a slight uptick in business traveling, and that is a very good thing for their shareholder's equity and quarterly profits.


  • State Run Capitalism - Can Two Play at That Game?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Chinese state-run capitalism seems to be giving Western free-market economies a run for their money, or is it? You see, the reason China's state run capitalism is working is because they have been up until now able to command labor to work for super low-wages, but in the future that won't be possible. Meanwhile, it appears that the Obama Administration wants to try state-run capitalism by nationalizing various industries.


  • If Lawyers and Politicians Do it Then it Must Be Okay - A Look at Plagiarism
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Plagiarism has to stop. We have copyright laws in the US, and we have the government going after those who pirate software, bootleg movies, and provide unauthorized downloads of music. But we also have members of Congress, yes, politicians and lawyers copying other's work, getting paid for it, and then passing it off as their own.


  • The Definition of Racism Considered, Plus a Look at the NAACP
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Apparently, the NAACP is claiming that the Tea Party is a racist movement. The media realizing that the Tea Party has gone main-stream is now defending the Tea Party and calling the NAACP into question. So, this is an interesting predicament; is the NAACP "race-baiting" and using this attack on the Tea-Partiers as a way to promote their own agenda and bring a discussion of race into the media - and if so, why now? All good questions, but let's ask are these Partiers of Tea really racist?


  • Back-to-School Advertisements Tell Us Something About How Things Have Changed
    [Reference-and-Education:College-University] When I graduated HS and was heading off to college, the year was 1983, I remember it well, as I was the Senior Class President and soon I would be the low-man on the Totem Pole all over again. I remember the Back-to-School ads targeting graduating high school seniors on their way to college. Back then we didn't have cell phones, well, we did but the cost was exorbitant - how about $.70 to $1.00 per minute? Now then, perhaps like you I've been getting the same back-to-school ads in my mail box.


  • WordPress Locked Me Out - My Blog is Gone, Now What Do I Do?
    [Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Blogging] Wow, I just got the most frantic email from a friend, apparently WordPress had cut their blog, leaving them high-and-dry. All their blog pictures and information gone, but luckily they still had the Microsoft Word Files they used to create most of those blogs. They were crying, 2-years worth of work, posting nearly 3-times per week. They were hysterical and stated; "WordPress Locked Me Out, Now What Do I Do?"


  • Should We Have a One World Government - What Say You?
    [Arts-and-Entertainment:Philosophy] Not long ago, someone who believes in the concept of a one world government had asked me what I thought about the whole concept. Indeed, it sounds like a nice idea, but unless it is done right, it won't work. My acquaintance stated that he felt mankind's future depended on it, and asked what I think about the whole thing. Okay so, let's discuss this and see what you (the reader) things about it. Turn on your mind and let's start this dialogue then.


  • Artificial Inflation Through Market Manipulation - Quite Problematic
    [News-and-Society:Economics] Let me explain a problem I see concerning the use of so-called "inflation" data to trigger a control mechanism with a Central Bank to raise interest rates, or tighten money supply to prevent the fear of runaway inflation. We all know what inflation is, but my use of the term "artificial inflation" is a concept whereby fake manipulations in markets, or industries trigger higher prices, not because the buyers or consumers have vast amounts of money to blow, but because the sellers are cheating the system to force the higher price.


  • What Sort of Article Marketing Can a Business Coach Do?
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Article-Marketing] Let's face it the coaching, mentoring, and consulting business has an abundance of competition in it these days. Many are not quite sure why, but you've probably guessed it has something to do with the fact that so many folks are out of work or underemployed who have such strong resumes and incredible backgrounds, that many are doing free-lance work. As an online article writer, I am constantly contacted by folks who wish to use article marketing as a venue to get new clientele.


  • Let's All Call For "Peace and Co-operation" He Stated!
    [Arts-and-Entertainment:Philosophy] Not long ago, I was discussing with an acquaintance the need for peace and cooperation, and he indicated if we are going to build a utopia, we will have to build it from a cooperative standpoint rather than from a "war and violence" motif. He cited history as his proof, explaining how historically man has been at war and has yet to build anything close to a utopia.


  • Humans, Wars, Utopia, and the Future Discussed
    [Arts-and-Entertainment:Philosophy] Not long ago, an acquaintance said to me; "Human nature will, in my opinion, never change." And I thought about this for a moment, as I have similar thoughts over the years, and stated that; "Never is harsh," as humans do appear to be evolving. Still, the biggest changes I see are mental or in the human brain.


  • Does Human Civilization Need AI Decision Makers? These Systems Are Quite Accurate
    [Arts-and-Entertainment:Philosophy] Can we predict civil unrest and crisis prior to the tipping point? I believe so, and I believe by studying different scenarios, civilization, governments, societies that we will be well on our way to doing just that. One acquaintance tells me that we need the social sciences and psychology to study these things, but are human psychologists really that sharp - I mean they have been studying these things for 100s of years, but they haven't gotten very far.


  • Weapons in Space - Good Idea Or Bad Idea - I'll Play Devil's Advocate While You Listen
    [Reference-and-Education:Science] Most all intelligent human beings are for space exploration, and the latest concept of the privatization of space; space tourism, asteroid mining, off-planet colonies, orbiting space hotels, and even Lunar, Mars, and Europa base stations, and colonies too. Not long ago, an acquaintance opened up a rather problematic topic, one that is often discussed but no one really wants to talk about; The Militarization of Space.


  • The Privatization of Space - Well, That's a Good Thing!
    [Reference-and-Education:Science] Not long ago, I was discussing and debating with an acquaintance on the value of the privatization of space. After a semi-lengthy dialogue we both agreed that the benefits outweigh the problems. You see, it is my contention that Space Tourism is cool, I am all for it. However, I am little concerned with other uses of the same technologies, you know that old "dual use" problem we have right now with uranium enrichment and nuclear weapons in the hands of rogue nations or their proxy terrorists. It's good to see all the Space Bases being built and the push forward. I was on hand for the X-prize and stood in the hangar reception after the big PR media event.


  • Leadership Versus Population - Is All This Controversy Really Necessary?
    [Arts-and-Entertainment:Philosophy] What is with all this class warfare, why does the media promote the have's versus the have not's? And why won't we force ourselves to create a fair shake for all citizens and upward mobility? If we do that we all win, and when we don't history shows; we all lose.


  • Pet Friendly Resorts - Don't Let Your Pet Sitting Responsibilities Stop Your Vacation!
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Pet-Friendly-Rentals] Have you ever heard your friends complain that they cannot travel because they have pets they must watch, they claim they do not have a proper pet sitter, or they are afraid to leave their pets alone? If you own a pet you know just how they feel, sometimes we end up living for our pets and not for ourselves.


  • Looking For a Southern California Vacation - Consider Carlsbad - Let Me Tell You Why
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Budget-Travel] If you are like me then you often watch the weather channel, and when I do, I seriously wonder why anyone would want to live anywhere else than in Southern California. I mean sure we have a few earthquakes now and again, and yes, we get some wildfires up in the surrounding mountains, but Southern California has some of the best weather on Planet Earth.


  • A Look at Lake Tahoe Vacations - The Locals Often Say, There's No Place Like Lake Tahoe
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] Lake Tahoe is the perfect vacation spot nearly any time of the year. In the summer the lake is beautiful and on the Nevada side the casinos, gift shops, restaurants, and shows are always in vogue.


  • Making Plans to Visit the Del Mar Race Track?
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Horse-Racing] If you've never been to a horse race, then you haven't experienced all there is to see in this world when it comes to the equestrian community. Horse racing is a sport like no other, as these powerful animals show off their speed and agility out of the gates and around the track. Horse racing is fun to watch and exciting to bet on, even if you are only putting forth a couple of dollars for the entertainment value.


  • Fly Out West For a Golfing Vacation at Some Spectacular Courses!
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Golf-Travel-and-Resorts] Some of the Top Golf Resorts in the United States are out West in California and Arizona. Right now there are some folks boycotting Arizona due to the new illegal immigration laws which mirror the Federal Laws which are so often not enforced. This provides a wonderful opportunity to get away from the crowds and enjoy the top Arizona Golf Courses.


  • Mobile Fleet Washing - Advertising and Marketing Considerations
    [Business:Advertising] Not long ago, I was contacted by a mobile car wash operator who is working to expand their business into cleaning more fleets of vehicles rather than just personal cars at office building parking lots or at new car lots. Indeed, while the same type of equipment is used to do mobile car washing as fleet truck washing, the business models are very much different in many ways.


  • Mobile Car Washing and Fleet Truck Washing Business - Weather Issues
    [Automotive] As we come out of this recession it is becoming quite obvious that service businesses are the fastest growing sector. What is also interesting is that service businesses were the last to get hit as we entered the recession, and they seem to be the first to recover. If we look at the employment numbers, the service industry outpaced retail, manufacturing, and construction jobs by a huge margin in job creation.


  • Mobile Truck Washing and Price Considerations in the Service Sector
    [Automotive:Trucks] Indeed, I have always said that you make money in the service business "in the time, not in the job." In other words, rather than trying to bid every job to maximize price, you are better off to figure out how long it will take you to clean whatever you are washing and then try to figure out how much you want to make per hour.


  • Mobile Car Wash Businesses Should Consider Doing More Fleet Washing Contracts
    [Automotive] When I first started the mobile car wash industry back in the very early 80s, there was no one else doing it. Oh sure, there were folks that did auto detailing and would come to you, but nothing set up to wash large number of vehicles in parking lots. Now, there were a few companies that went to car dealerships to spray off the cars, but that's not really the full wash, soap, and dry; and vacuum services that mobile car washes offer today.


  • Mobile Fleet Truck Washing Advice - Setting Up the Contracts
    [Automotive:Trucks] Not long ago, a mobile car wash operator had contacted me and was interested in expanding their business and also offering mobile fleet truck washing services. Indeed, they needed a little bit of advice about how to go about setting up fleet truck washing contracts.


  • Lego Land Discounts at the Legoland Family Fun Park in CA
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Budget-Travel] As you probably know Legos are not just for kids anymore, there are many social networks where adults can rejuvenate their long-lost passion for Legos. If you've ever been to Legoland family fun-park in California you know that it is a theme park for the whole family.


  • Lego Land and Sea Life - Get it All in One Fantastic California Summer Vacation
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Budget-Travel] There sure is a lot to see in the San Diego area, and yet, just outside of town is one of the most interesting theme parks of all, yes, I speak of Legoland. If you are looking for a really fun and exciting vacation getaway, why not make your own vacation package; combining both Sea world and Legoland. And rather than staying in San Diego, why not stay just outside of the city and avoid some of the traffic?


  • Orlando Resorts - Disney World Resorts Come Alive in Florida This Summer!
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Budget-Travel] The City of Orlando is on a mission, it will not stand still for the recent recession or slowdown in tourism, travel, and hospitality sectors, nor should they. Their economy relies on the Orlando Resorts, and specifically the Disney World Resort in Orlando Florida to employ the citizens of that great city, and to keep the city coffers full with tax revenue. While it is true that the economic global meltdown in the real estate market hit Florida exceptionally hard, things are on the mend and people are coming back.


  • Las Vegas Deals and Vacation Thrills - Some Travel Positives in Tough Economic Times
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Budget-Travel] Perhaps there was no other city that was hit harder than Las Vegas during the global economic crisis. Las Vegas had grown very rapidly before the real estate crash and then soon after Las Vegas was hit with a double whammy as travel slowed down to a trickle. Corporations stopped sending care employees to conferences and vacation retreats, while the entire hospitality, and travel industry to an economic hit. Luckily, Las Vegas is recovering nicely from the recession, and the Mayor of Las Vegas has gone on record asking tourists and travelers to come back.


  • The Business and Government Leadership Rift - Jobs and Political Rhetoric Discussed
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] We keep hearing how the President Obama and the Democrats in Congress are going to provide jobs for Americans. They tell us that as we switch to alternative energy they will provide millions of jobs, but that is simply poppycock and nonsense.


  • I Suspect the 2010 Census to Be the Biggest Government Fiasco in Decades - Let Me Explain
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] We've sure heard a lot about the 2010 Census, namely that it skewed the employment figures something terrible and cost the taxpayers some $10 Billion Dollars. But the reality is that I bet it costs more like $15 or $20 Billion by the time it is all done and I bet that the count is off by 3-5 times the allowable mathematical margin for error. It is my contention that the US Census which was taken over by the Obama Administration is an example of just how bad their ability to lead really is.


  • "What Type of Business Should I Start?" the Recently Laid Off Auto Tech Asked
    [Business:Industrial-Mechanical] Okay so, no doubt you were thinking out loud and you posed a question to the search engine asking about what sort of business should you consider right now knowing that the economy is problematic. Let's see, you like cars right?


  • The Progressive Problem is Nothing More Than Regurgitated Regression
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Ann Coulter seems crazy at times, but one of her books certainly has an excellent title; "How to Talk to a Liberal if You Must." It makes a lot of sense, and even though I have never read it, I surely like that title. Of course, like anything else, there are a couple of problems with that title, first she is calling those who vote Democrat "liberal" but they really aren't, especially with regards to the Oxford Dictionary definition.


  • Can We Up Grade History Class in Our Schools?
    [Reference-and-Education] We have all heard the famous quote; "Those who fail to study their history, are doomed to repeat it!" And for the most part, I doubt there are many who would not accept that reality. Not long ago, someone came to me with a plan to upgrade the way we teach history in our schools, this way the kids would know the real history and the plan floated was one that would offer full participation to all students involved. Would it work? Could we get academia to change the way they teach, can we trust them to make it work?


  • Lord Help You If You Are Trying to Be Frank With a Progressive-Liberal-Socialist These Days
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Many people call themselves liberals, and many detractors call them that too. Most likely, at least in American Societies what we consider "liberal" is not liberal at all in a strict dictionary definition. You see, liberal by definition is pretty much what our Founding Fathers were, and they were more or less libertarians leaning hard right, not left, and certainly for their time they were progressive, but the difference between progressives of today or liberals of our present period are exact opposites.


  • Shouldn't We Be Learning Something About Deep Earth and Deep Sea Drilling?
    [News-and-Society:Environmental] It seems like we are creating one major environmental catastrophe after another these days, and it surely seems we are not through yet. We have underwater Oil/Methane volcanoes putting out pressures of nearly 100,000 PSI, and we've already witnessed the nightmare from the BP oil leak as it surfaces and ends up on the beaches, interferes with wildlife, and "devoids" the Gulf of Mexico waters of oxygen. But this isn't the only recent mistake that has been made.


  • Don't Trade Business Efficiency For Customer Inconvenience - Fundamentals First!
    [Business:Entrepreneurialism] Far too many businesses and corporations focus on efficiency to the point of increasing profit to the maximum and end up alienating the clientele or losing the customer altogether. Yes, it's easy to do. But let me tell you a quick story as a case study and let's discuss this.


  • Online Article "Quotes" - Get it Right!
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Writing-Articles] Anyone who has ever written online articles for any length of time knows that occasionally you'll need to quote a source, or use a famous quote. Now then, it's important to quote sources correctly. Okay, so, let's discuss this for a moment shall we?


  • Relying on Government to Create Jobs - Ridiculous, Absurd, and Laughable!
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs, that's all we think about," stated a Democratic Congressman the other day. I cringe to think that anyone would put faith in government to create jobs in the private sector. It's alarming to think they are going to spend my taxpayer money to try. Doesn't anyone see it?


  • Sarbanes-Oxley Biggest Regulatory Joke in the World - Except For Obama's New Financial Regs
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] More of the same, the same sound and fury, over and over again - Sarbanes Oxley was supposed to prevent such things, it didn't. Now the Obama Administration is going to pass more financial regulations - how does that work - they don't seem to be able to regulate much of anything, including their own credit card to be paid by us Taxpayer's and our grand children. Amazing!


  • Soccer World Cup Rule Changes Floated
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Soccer] Is the World Soccer sport getting out of hand? No one likes to watch a world class soccer game with constant fouls, free kicks, yellow cards, and angry players. Soccer is better than that. Still, if these things are not fixed then many fans including myself are sure to migrate away from watching the games. Let's discuss this for a moment, but, first I'd like to recommend you read an interesting article on this topic; as there was an interesting article in Wall Street Journal the day before the 2010 final game between Spain and Netherlands...


  • Should You Have Fun With SPAM and Phisher Emails?
    [Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Email-Marketing] We probably all realize that when we see a SPAM Scam we need not reply. Nevertheless, the other day I did reply to an obvious phishing scam using...


  • Copyright Greed an Issue With Online Articles
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Writing-Articles] Many bloggers, and online article writers enjoy quoting news articles, books, and other sources. Indeed, they often quote large sections, which tends to infuriate the copyright holders, their publishers, and the writers. Who can blame them, however there is another side to the coin, and that is if you are constantly being quoted, your fame grows, and so too will your book sales, and if you are writing a column or news articles, you can bet that your notoriety will also increase significantly.


  • If You Vote Democrat, You Are Leading Our Nation Towards Socialism
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] You may not like what I have to say here today, but it is my opinion, and I've listened to the other side of the debate and their opinions for too long; it's time to speak out! You see, it is amazing how utterly ignorant many Americans are in the US. So many people equate the Republicans with being NAZI-like in their policies, but in reality Hitler was a socialist and rode into power with the help of the Labor Party. Not long ago, a staunch "Democrat Acquaintance" [I am using this term very loosely] of mine was taken aback when I labeled him as a liberal.


  • Should Online Article Submission Sites Have Categories For History - Hot Topic!
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Writing-Articles] Most online article submission sites are frequented by online article marketers who use this venue to promote their online products, services, or consulting and coaching businesses. This makes sense and this strategy was alive and well almost since the first decade of the printing press.


  • Litigious Activism - Why is That Okay?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Now I am not sure about you, but the longer I live the more things that seem to rub me the wrong way. Let's discuss just one of the problems in our society, one that will not seem to go away. You see, I do not approve of litigious activism, I do not believe that is the answer, rather the problem, and I'd say that those who make threats of litigation are using a form of terrorism, and that it is destroying productivity, civility, and normal human interaction.


  • Central Park in New York City Must Be Developed and Closed to Help Global Warming!
    [News-and-Society:Environmental] The Global Warming Alarmists have presented us with a nightmare scenario, luckily it is false, but unfortunately they have laid the ground work for an economic disaster which will lay waste to any potential full economic recovery. But if this is the way they are going to roll, then I'd like to roll a plan by you to show the world how ridiculous all this nonsense really is.


  • Should We Be Ready For an Iranian Suicide Airliner Jihadist Pilot Aircraft Takeover?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] As the world moves closer to war in the Middle East it would be no surprise to say that such a war would be much different than past wars. Iran is now moving the world closer to war, as we've all been reading in the international news lately. It would appear to me based on the news reports coming out of Iran that we should expect an Iranian pilot suicide bomber in a commercial airliner to attempt a kamikaze run at a major soft target in Israel, an American War Ship, or a strategic piece of infrastructure. Why would I suspect this?


  • We Need Diversion Ambush Convoys in Afghanistan to Win!
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] It's very difficult to move goods and services if the distribution routes are unsafe. Take the Somalia Pirates for example or better yet, let's take the convoys in Afghanistan. To move stuff into the country to US Bases to fight the Taliban the contractors need an Army of their own to prevent being attacked. Of course, we know there is another way; pay for protection against attack, just like a store owner in Chicago pays for protection, against those who use extortion to protect them.


  • Don't You Dare Call China Price Increases Due to Labor Costs Inflation in the US!
    [News-and-Society:Economics] Okay so, the writing is on the walls, China's labor rates are going to increase finally. I say finally because with the Chinese currency being manipulated downward the nation had a great advantage in trade, almost to the point of being called onto the carpet at the WTO by its biggest trading partners, nations like the US that remain its exporting mainstay and for the most part the reality of their successful economic rise. And what a rocket ship the Chinese economy has been too, 10% year-over-year growth for; get this - three-decades!


  • Children Are Not Lab Rats, We Have Too Many Child Behavioral Psychologists With Nothing to Do!
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Perhaps you've watched how psychologists are always studying the behavior of children. Have you ever asked yourself why? Do they study children because they appear to be easier to figure out, as the adult brain becomes ever increasingly complex and complicated in its wiring as humans age? Do they study kids because they themselves had a difficult time as children, maybe they were bullied, or mistreated, perhaps abused?


  • Back in Time to Create Your Maker - A Sci Fi Short Story Shaker
    [Arts-and-Entertainment:Short-Fiction] European and American scientists have discovered a way to send information back in time. In fact, they have perfected their technologies through almost an unlimited source of research and development funds coming from two great sources; the military's black projects fund and Wall Street. What they've done is worked with an investment banking firm which has hired out some of the "quants" (personal friends of the scientists) working in the high-speed trading rooms in Manhattan buildings which sit on top of Internet hubs, and they place their trades just prior to major news events which end up shaking the markets, having future knowledge of such events guarantees an endless stream of cash.


  • Is Sustainability the Most Dangerous Word to Human Civilization? Beware!
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] It is really hard to say what the most dangerous word in the English language actually is, but, let's go ahead and throw word out there; "Sustainable" and discuss this for a moment. Over the last decade or so I've been listening to people banter about various political issues, and public policy topics, and it seems when I do this, I hear the word sustainable or Sustainability far too often. Almost to the point that you can tell someone's political persuasion and how far left in the political spectrum they are, by how many times they use that word during a normal conversation.


  • Real Coaches, Mentors, Consultants Need to Distinguish Themselves From the Riff Raft
    [Self-Improvement:Coaching] Most potential clientele of consultants, coaches, or mentors want to make sure that those who are providing them services know what they are doing, but not coaches do obviously. This is a problem, and not long ago, I was discussing this challenge with a Coach and Mentor from South Africa, who had lots of letters next to her name - proof positive that she was indeed a "Real Coach" with education and certificates to back her up.


  • Entrepreneurs Are Just Wired Differently - How Differently?
    [Business:Entrepreneurialism] We know that nearly 10% of our population in the United States owns their own small business. We also know that most do not succeed past 5-years, but some do. The 25% or so which do succeed do so because of the people behind them. Generally, there is a driving force, an entrepreneurial driver. But have you ever considered that the most successful entrepreneurs are wired just a little differently? It's a fact, or at least some believe it is a fact - and, they have empirical data to back up that premise as well.


  • The Year is 2433 and the Place Once Again is MIT
    [Arts-and-Entertainment:Short-Fiction] This is a Science Fiction Short Story, so let me set the stage. The year is 2433 and the instructor is Professor L. Winthrop XIV, who is the professor of the Advanced BioScience Graduate Studies and head of the Bio Lab in the "Crick Building" and he is about to address the new graduate class here at MIT.


  • Service Business Management and the Challenges of Economic Cycles
    [Business:Management] It's very hard to run a service business when times are tough, as there are fewer customers and less revenue. Too a service business often has to lower prices to go for volume. It's easy to get good people, which is a plus, but harder to get them to care because they are not making much. Of course, there is another challenge on the other side of that coin. When times are good, quality employees are hard to come by, and keeping up customer service thus, can be tricky.


  • Bad News Spreads Much Faster Than Good News - What Does This Mean to You?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] There sure seems to be a lot of bad news and economic reporting in our newspapers, and TV cable stations which play 24/7 and it is immediately obvious that bad news spreads a lot faster than good news. Obviously, the news media knows this, and therefore they advertise negative news over good news by 5 to 1 margin, even if they claim to balance it out. Therefore, since the media owns the minds of the people, we should expect folks to be more depressed, uptight, and consumer confidence to continue to sag.


  • Government's Job is to Protect the American People
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] We all know that our governments first and foremost responsibility is to protect our citizenry, that's you and me, we are the American People. Unfortunately, "protecting the American People from enemies" appears to somehow have changed meanings. Today, we do a lot of rule making to protect people from themselves, almost to the point of denying them the very freedom we were supposed to be granted as citizens.


  • Alien Attacks on Deep Sea Human Oil Rigs Continue - Sci Fi Short Story
    [Arts-and-Entertainment:Short-Fiction] In his science fiction short story we will discuss an alien species that is more advanced than human civilizations, which lives underground, and under the ocean in the deepest depths. Their species is very similar to humans, but they cannot interbreed with humans without genetic manipulation. This other race has life-spans in excess of 800-years, or as long as they choose within that time frame.


  • Globalization Means a Bit of Re-Balancing So Don't Be Caught Off Guard!
    [Business:International-Business] We do live in a global world, and it is getting closer and closer every day. I bet you have products from at least 50 countries in your home, and I bet if you took them all apart there would be components from 100 more. Think about it, globalization is the way of things, you can't stop it and you'd be a fool to try. Free trade is good, if indeed, it is also free and fair trade we seek.


  • The Year is 2033 and the Place is MIT - Short Story and Potential Movie
    [Arts-and-Entertainment:Short-Fiction] The story takes place in the future, a little more than two decades from today. So let me set the stage for you. Two individuals very similar to Bill Gates and Paul Allen have created a virtual reality living room, that is so real, it's hard to tell whether you are in real life or immersed within the game. This virtual reality gaming center incorporates;


  • We Must Have Tolerance
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Not sure about you or how you feel about the demand for tolerance in the world. We are taught in the United States to have tolerance, and that it is required. Generally, I think we all accept this, I know I do. We should tolerate other view points, religions, cultures, and thoughts. We really need to do this if we are all to get along in the world - that makes sense right - sure it does.


  • All Hand Truck Washes - An Independent Truck Driver's Favorite Stop!
    [Business:Industrial-Mechanical] If you are a long haul truck driver, an independent truck driver with all your own money invested in the rig, then you want it looking good. Therefore, as you travel around the country delivering the goods, on time and as promised, you are always on the lookout for a high quality all-hand truck wash. Not long ago, I was discussing this with an acquaintance in New Zealand and they asked about a good model to look at in the US to design their unit after.


  • Takers, Players, Partners, and Profits - Let's Discuss US-China Trade Relations
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Did you know that globalization is good, that free trade is good, and that greed is actually good in free markets because if you want more wealth, you have to produce more to get it? Either you have to work harder and longer hours to get the things that you want as a consumer, or as an entrepreneur you must deliver products and services better than your competition if you are to create wealth for yourself. The more people who participate in free markets, the more free trade that goes on, the better the people of the world will be through globalization.


  • Respect Copyrighted Images When Blogging
    [Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Blogging] All too often bloggers will go online and then lift a picture they like for their blog post, generally they never even bother to give credit to the other party, not that it would be okay even if they did. I recommend that you collect "copyright free" images prior to needing them. This is what I've done.


  • Screen Saver "Image Bursting" Strategy to Increase Spatial Brain Strength
    [Self-Improvement:Mind-Development] Let me tell you of a brain enhancing strategy I had stumbled upon after loading a very large number of images into "My Pictures" file, which was automatically hooked, perhaps like your computer set up, to my screen saver program. After sitting and watching it one day, I noted how it spurred on my brain and increased my spatial reasoning prior to designing sessions. It really helped and I was amazed.


  • The Difficulties of Editing Online Articles Considered
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Writing-Articles] Not long ago, I was talking to an editor of a large blogging network and we got to discussing the realities of self-editing of online articles. You see, I've written a rather large number of articles in my time and I noticed that when I use speech recognition software that I am always missing silly mistakes, it's hard to edit your own work, it is much easier to edit someone else's.


  • Repurposing Online Articles Considered Again
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Article-Marketing] Not long ago, I was talking with a gal who is an editor for a very popular blogging network which deals with the Financial Sector. Most of the folks who post information and blogs do so not for the public, but for the industry, it's basically a group of folks who'd probably consider themselves insiders, and the blogging network has a name to match that reality.


  • Car Sales and Economic Retail Sales - Know the Reality of Economic Indicator Figures
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] During the Bush Administration auto sales were added into retail figures, and I figure this was to boost sagging retail sales figures during the turn of the century when we really needed help with consumer confidence. The auto sales are still in the mix today, even though they are not doing us any favors when judging actual retail sales. One question might be; should auto sales really be thrown into the retail sales mix? Many believe so, as sales tax is charged in each auto sale, and if you keep those numbers out then sales tax does not jive with retail sales figures.


  • US Carbon Trading Scheme and Criminal Activity Considered
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Do you remember when everyone was down on Enron for trying to commoditize the world, and how things were not exactly working out for them so they hid their losses in off-balance-sheet corporations? Well, there is a lot of room for financial fraud and corruption when you create money out of thin are, or even out of thick air, which is exactly what this carbon trading scheme is doing. Philosophically speaking they are creating money out of thin air and trading air, which is a lot of hot air if you ask me.


  • California Winery Business Discussed
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] It has been known that El Nino/La Nina changes very much affect the California Wine crop and Winery Industry and this year's switch over will be no different. It should also be realized that the global market for wine is expanding, perhaps you have heard; the Chinese are drinking up a storm. Therefore, I am not so sure all this negativity in the Northern California wine sector is correct. One could say that the real estate bubble caused many to pay way too much for winery properties at a point that they could never get a decent ROI on their land.


  • "Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win Theory" Why Does it Work So Well?
    [Self-Improvement:Achievement] Stick-to-it-ness, perseverance, and never giving up is the advice given over and over again, generation after generation and one of the most important attributes for success. Have you ever stopped to consider why? Not long ago, I was indeed having this conversation with someone and he mentioned Thomas Edison as an example in history of when perseverance paid off and how if he had quit, he would have never won. Good point and I added some of my own comments to his...


  • Type D Personality and Visual Bursting Strategies Using Computer Screen Savers
    [Reference-and-Education:Psychology] We all know about Type A Personalities, and the pros and cons about those with that sort of personality displacement, but have you ever heard of Type D Personality? It too has challenges.


  • Will the Dummying Down of Society Cause More Civil Unrest and Violence?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Many people believe that the United States is going through a dummying down period in our nation's history due to the challenges in our schools, the Internet, and problems associated with the language barriers and failure of the melting pot. No matter how you feel about all this let's explore the reality that a dummying down of any civilization is quite problematic. How so you ask?


  • Decentralization of Power - Does it Make Sense For the US to Decrease Federal Power?
    [News-and-Society:Politics] Not long ago an acquaintance of mine stated that; "It can clearly be seen that only about half of people vote in general elections. Why? Most theories suggest that people do not believe that they're vote will make any difference."


  • Is it Ever Okay to Quit - Is Being a Quitter Ever Justified?
    [Arts-and-Entertainment:Philosophy] It is pretty well known that if you quit you cannot win, but is there ever a time it makes sense to quit? Yes, and let me tell you an instance when I believe it would be permissible to break the rule; Never Quit.


  • Is Dreamology All it is Cracked Up to Be?
    [Reference-and-Education:Paranormal] Not long ago, I talked with a gentleman who has studied dreams all his life. He told me of a most interesting case, where a gentleman had the same re-occurring dream, almost a nightmare, and it was far too often, several times a week - for almost 30-years. Ouch. Finally he went to a dreamologist. The dream was that the individual was in a small room with an old fashioned telephone operator system, with plugs on the end of wires, but they were all tangled and he couldn't untangle them.


  • Inflatable Habitats For Space - A Business Innovation Whose Time Hath Cometh
    [Business:Innovation] With all the new materials it seems that we could make better use of inflatable designs for space, luckily NASA and others are looking into this. Not long ago, I was discussing this with someone online in an Internet style think tank and he had asked me; "Have you seen the latest NASA idea, inflatable ships/bases?"


  • Mathematical Models For Human Evolution Discussed
    [Reference-and-Education:Science] If we look at the "Game of Life" it makes us wonder if we can develop mathematical models which would predict with strong probability human evolution. That makes sense of course. Not long ago, I talked with a gentleman about mathematical models for human evolution. He stated that he had talked with; "fellow math students the other day. We were arguing about how you could model evolution with probability...


  • Body Or Brain - What is it to Be Human?
    [Self-Improvement:Mind-Development] Does the body exist for the brain, or does the brain exist to help the body operate. Now some may think that this question is absurd, I beg to differ. And did you know there are some foods which are good for the brain, but not so good for the heart or good for the heart and not so good for the brain; it's true.


  • Many Think Businesses Are Greedy For Not Hiring
    [Business:Careers-Employment] There seems to be an interesting sentiment out there, that somehow businesses are greedy and perhaps, evil for not hiring, as many corporations are booking in very strong profit margins as of late. People say that they need to start hiring again, but I say why should they, still the argument for hiring folks now is that it will get the economy going again.


  • What is Up With the Economy in Mid 2010?
    [News-and-Society:Economics] Not long ago, I was talking to a "Double Dipper Doom and Gloomer" on the economic issues which face our nation. That is the term I give to folks who let the negative news in the media effect their view of the future. Right now, I'd say about 75% of the US population is thinking like this, I am fortunately not one of them, but one could say I am merely a "Dooms Day Denier and a Overly Optimistic Observer" and well maybe I am.


  • Contract Incubators For Corporate R and D Departments - New Business Model Considered
    [Business:Innovation] Not long ago, I was working on a business plan to set up a local incubator program for garage innovators and inventors. In doing so, I realize that my former experience as a Franchisor Founder prior to retirement lent itself well to a potential franchising of such an endeavor. As I discussed this with an acquaintance he mentioned that; there is a possible business all of its own right there.


  • Incubator Centers For Economic Development - New Business Model
    [Business:Innovation] Over the past few months, I've been working with a small team to come up with the perfect solution to provide jobs, economic development and keep the US on the leading edge of future technologies. We or I should say I, wrote up a quick business plan and gave it to our team to discuss. The incubator center would have multiple spaces for garage style innovators and home grown inventors inside of a large industrial building or aircraft hangar.


  • Garage Inventors and Local Incubators For Economic Growth Considered
    [News-and-Society:Economics] Garage Startups have the advantage of doing more with less, but it is very easy to outgrow a garage, this I can attest too. But even before that happens these innovators, the life-blood of new ideas and concepts need assistance. So, this is why local incubators of technology and new concepts with commercial value need to exist. In some places they do, but not to the degree needed to allow the US to stay at peak performance.


  • All Hail the Last of the Baby Boomers - They Are the Key to Our Future
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Not long ago, I spoke with someone and they told me that; "I am 47 and have lived in the Dallas area for the last 23 years." And I reminded them that Dallas is a nice area, especially the suburbs. 47, well that makes you one of the last baby boomers, so you are unique, and very important to our society to bridge the gap, between the differences in generations, and as we can see there are big differences.


  • Economic Development Incubator Strategies Discussed
    [News-and-Society:Economics] We need a new model for local innovation centers to spur on economic growth in the US, and we need to take this to on a micro-scale, at the municipality level. Let me explain such a potential scenario and you decide what you think.


  • Financially Stressed Municipalities Curtailing Large Fourth of July Fireworks - Making Excuses
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Our nation's birthday is quite important to who we are here. If you go to other nation's they are fully engaged in their own holidays which signify the creation of their nation, or some point at which their modern way of doing things came into being.


  • Capitalism is Great - Stop Complaining About It!
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Many folks in the United States feel guilty because we have so much abundance in our society and civilization. They buy into this notion that since we only have a small percentage of the Earth's human population, that it is insane that we use one-third of the energy. These same folks think that it is terrible that we end up wasting so much, when people are starving in third-world nations.


  • Small Business Requirements and California Healthcare Insurance Considered
    [Business:Small-Business] If you run a small or medium sized business you are the back-bone of our economy. Of course, with that incredible position, there are some responsibilities too. There are certain things you need to know, and be aware of when it comes to small business health care insurance in CA, such as tax incentives and penalty fees depending on the size of your payroll and number of employees if you choose not to cover health insurance for your employees.


  • Accountants With Enron, Rating Agencies and Insurance Companies With Lehman - A Thought
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Over the past few decades I've been watching the watchers, those dedicated, politically astute, and often registered or licensed folks running around in business suits. It seems whenever there is an economic problem we can trace it back to this group. Remember the Enron Fiasco, where they moved losses into shell companies to hide trading losses and prop up their business? Well, it was the accountant auditors that allowed them to do this.


  • California Health Insurance - For Those Who Need Health Insurance in California
    [Insurance:Health] California private health insurance plans are on a lot of people's mind right now. If you have become confused as to what is going on with health care insurance due to all the political maneuvering, promises of new health care reform, and the President's messages and news conferences during major media events, you are not alone.


  • Are Chinese ETFs the Way For an American Investor to Play China's Growth?
    [Investing:Stocks] So many folks do not understand ETFs, and they do not realize that they are much more risky in nature than mutual funds. Worse, is the reality that this financial vehicle has done a lot in replacing ETFs as the main stay, for better or worse, and I'd say worse, the growth of ETFs has been insanely rapid over the few years.


  • Carlyle Group Invests in Chinese Fisheries - Good Let's See Some Quality Control!
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Fishing] Rubenstein's often uncanny ability to seize opportunity out of crisis, makes him one with the Chinese Symbol which signifies both. And the Carlyle Group, which has had its share of navigating the last global economic Tsunami and the turbulent waters which pervade both free-markets, and state run capitalist copies has reverted back to dead reckoning. Luckily, it seems to be working.


  • Non-Disclosure Agreements From an Entrepreneurs Perspective Considered
    [Business:Entrepreneurialism] Not long ago, I was talking with an inventor/entrepreneur who had invented a killer little product for gun owners, an accessory unit capable of changing the personal firearm industry sub-sector, and he was taking around his device trying to find a manufacturer or distributor that would either co-invest, or help him market this new device. He was using NDAs or Non-Disclosure Agreements to protect himself.


  • Angel Investors Must Know What They Know and What They Don't
    [Business:Entrepreneurialism] Not long ago, I was talking with an inventor, innovator, and entrepreneur extraordinaire, and he had inquired as to whether or not I would invest in his invention. The answer in the end turned out to be no, as he didn't have any proof of concept or prototype, no math to prove it could work from an engineering standpoint, only a couple of drawings, a CAD CAM rendering, and his word that he was sure it would work.


  • Conspiracy Theories and Internet Fear Mongering - Let's Talk
    [Reference-and-Education:Paranormal] It would be hard to deny that Internet "fear mongering" is an interesting phenomena, and it is amazing how many groups, organizations, rogue nations, terrorists, and even governments engage in such things. It's all implemented to cause you, the Internet viewer to react or change your views. However, we also know that it can backfire too. Too much over-the-top fear and there are questions coming from all sides.


  • The Philosophy of Fate and the Game of Life
    [Computers-and-Technology:Software] Have you ever heard someone say; "It's Fate!" as if free will didn't matter, and yet, that certainly wouldn't be a world I'd care to participate in. You see, I am not an organic robot, I am free, and will enjoy my life experience on my own terms. Still, one only has to look at the "Game of Life" to stop and think about how solid a concept free will is.


  • Should Small Businesses Start Hiring Again Or Fear the Future?
    [Business:Small-Business] Many small business fear expansion right now, they fear hiring additional employees, and they are completely worried about the future. Should they be? We know that community banks are worried and there are not a lot of small business loans going on right now. Indeed, as a former franchisor before retirement it is my contention that I wouldn't pour money into a small business right now, much less touch it with a ten-foot pole.


  • Nostradamus Prophesies and Other Such Things
    [Reference-and-Education:Paranormal] Do you believe in prophesies, you know like Nostradamus, well, if you believe in any of the major religions you are half way to falling for such things like this. Perhaps, we should discuss this and you'll be better able to reason it all?


  • Dreamologist Believes That Dreams Only Speak in Future Tense
    [Reference-and-Education:Paranormal] Not long ago, an acquaintance told me that Freud, Jung, and many modern day psychologists, philosophers, and neuroscientists who study dreams are wrong, and he suggests that; Dreams only speak in the future tense," and goes onto reason that; "they did not observe sharply enough and did not keep an extensive and personal dream record with observations as to possible manifestations." Now then, we've all been taught that dreams are most likely about the past events allowing our minds to commit them to memory through dreaming, perhaps something along the way of defragging a computer hard drive?


  • What Are Dreams? Do They Really Mean Anything?
    [Reference-and-Education:Paranormal] Interestingly enough; "I was a competitive athlete (just under Olympic level - 4 minute miler in my younger days), I understand how the mind can will events to occur in many situations. Maxwell Maltz "psycho-cybernetics" comes to mind, as another explanation for your findings or point of view on this topic. Showing how the mind can will events to occur, beyond the normal abilities of the body, or calculated probable outcome of events.


  • Can a Superior Mind Will Events to Occur?
    [Self-Improvement:Mind-Development] There are many people who've convinced themselves that they can will events to occur, and chock it off to some new-age religion, perhaps even quantum mechanics, or holistic universe theory. Sounds interesting, but are these folks actually sane, and if they are then how on earth are they doing it?


  • Want to Buy an Existing Laundromat? - Here Are Some Thoughts
    [Business:Small-Business] Okay so, you'd like to be self-employed and you are looking for a business that you can run, which will not put you in enslavement of a 10-hour a day plus endeavor. You should know that the average small business person works well over that on average, so, be careful what type of business you choose. For instance a restaurant could run you into the grave, and even a business you think is for the most part absentee, may not be at all. Anyway, let's go ahead and talk about a business you may perceive as being low-maintenance; a Laundromat.


  • Iron Ore Quality and US-China Trade War Issues on Steel Products Considered
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] When it comes to things like iron ore, rubber, oil, and other resources, it is paramount that we play our cards right and don't cause international trade wars. It is common for nations to have trade conflicts often leading to war over such things. We ought to know, this is why the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and let's face it the Iraqi War was much more about oil than Saddam Hussein's killing of Kurds, or his immediate threat of nuclear weapons. And do not get me wrong, I am not an anti-war type guy, and had no use for Saddam or any rogue nation for that matter, I am just speaking about reality here.


  • Buying an Existing Small Business Laundry Mat - Business Broker Savvy
    [Business:Small-Business] Before you buy an existing business you need to learn about the industry a bit. No business is an automatic success, no business is guaranteed, and no business is recession proof.


  • Illegal Immigration - It's Time to Address the Issues
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Illegal immigration is not just a problem in the border states with Mexico, it's all over. Not long ago, I was discussing this with a gentleman from Alabama, and he was telling me of the challenges there.


  • Want to Buy an Existing Small Business? Ask Yourself - "Why is He Selling?"
    [Business:Small-Business] As a former franchisor, I've bought many companies, and I've sold 100s franchises over the years, and in retirement I do a little business consulting, nothing too overly challenging, just enough to keep my feet wet and my mind in the game. Now then, often folks decide during recessionary periods that they might like to buy a franchise, start their own business from scratch, or perhaps buy an existing business.


  • "The Melting Pot is Full and Starting to Boil," He Claimed
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Ask most people and they will say we have a severe crisis in the United States when it comes to our "melting pot" theory, as folks are no longer assimilating, rather they are choosing sides and at each other's throats, each claiming the other group has wronged them. Is this really true? I'd submit to you that it is not. In fact, I'd say that most of the real conflict is incited from the mass media, which uses chaos and controversy; that is to say "Sound and Fury" to stay at the forefront of our daily lives, thus sell more advertising.


  • The Universe is the Largest Thing We Know - But is it Really the Largest of All?
    [Arts-and-Entertainment:Philosophy] When we talk about the solar system, the Milky Way Galaxy, and then the Universe, well we consider how small and insignificant we all are. After all, in the Universe we are even less than a grain of sand on that proverbial endless beach.


  • Devout Religious Folks and Atheists - What's the Difference?
    [News-and-Society:Religion] In American Society we have all sorts of religions, and beliefs. We have many folks who believe in none, or are on the fence; yes, I speak about agnostics and atheists. Now then, I'd like to take you into a recent conversation I was having on this topic.


  • I Want to Play the Money Game, I Want to Start My Own Business, He Said
    [Business:Entrepreneurialism] Are you contemplating your future career as a self-employed entrepreneur, you'd be surprised how many people do during hard economic times, it seems to be a natural line of reasoning and drives many people to just flat; go for it. I wouldn't judge you crazy if you did, myself, I've been an entrepreneur all my life, I don't even understand how to get a job or why on Earth anyone would ever want to work for someone else, it, well, it; "does not compute," I guess you could say.


  • Be a Man, Pain is Not Real - Oh Yes it is, and You Better Listen!
    [Health-and-Fitness:Pain-Management] Some folks have a higher tolerance for pain, I know I used to be one of them, no not anymore, but back in the day, I was a long-distance, and middle distance runner, and I was in constant pain. Funny thing is, I actually liked the soreness and pain which went with running that hard and forcing my body to do those workouts.


  • The Future of AI Controlled Vehicles and Computer Human Interface Pondered
    [Computers-and-Technology:Personal-Tech] One question might be; will humans be controlled by the machines they create in the future, or will they control the machines by becoming one with them? Not long ago, I was discussing this with an acquaintance and he stated that; "Hyper-awareness is great when in control of vehicle, like being integrated into the vehicle and becoming part of the machine, I enjoy being one with a machine."


  • Isn't it Time For Virtual Reality Video Games to Start Allowing Play Outside the Box?
    [Gaming:Computer-Games] We've all heard of the concept thinking outside the box, and often we associate video game designers and those who play such games as different, thus outside of the norms of society. But are they? Think if you will the fact that they play the games in a virtual world inside of a box, and those who program it, program the games one at a time.


  • Is the United States Reign of Power Over - Now Yielding to China?
    [News-and-Society:International] China was at one time the dominant civilization, and being away from the others over a gigantic mountain ranger somewhat safe from other civilizations with huge armies. Not that China's dynasties could not have countered a large scale army or attack, they were large in numbers and military technology of the day.


  • Will Artificially Intelligent Race Car Drivers Beat Human Drivers?
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Auto-Racing] It is my contention that AI computer driven race cars will be able to best the best efforts of human drivers in the next few years. And soon, unmanned aerial vehicles which are fully autonomous will be able to win a dog-fight with a human fighter pilot ace. I just see the writing on the walls really, I don't even care to debate it with a "species-centric" human at this point, as any debates to the contrary are bathed in arrogance, ignorance, and boastful human pride, something that humans really are better at than computers.


  • Increase Efficiency and Decrease Time in Online Article Writing
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Writing-Articles] Writing lots of articles is difficult and it is very time consuming too. If you go online to the top online article directories you will see lots of advice, forum categories, and blog posts dedicated to this very subject. The reality is that to become a successful online article writer you'll need to keep your online article quantity up, meaning you'll have to set aside the time to write early and often.


  • Society and Manhood
    [Arts-and-Entertainment:Philosophy] It could be said with pretty much certainty that we are doing a disservice to males in our society in the US. In China they used to kill little baby girls due to quota rules (1 child) now they have an unbalanced ratio, and this is a serious issue. The feminist movement was interesting in the US. Now there are more women getting degrees and in the workforce in the US than men.


  • China's Growth - Amazing and Alarming
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Many say that China's growth should not alarm the US, as all nations go throw growth periods, and the civilization cycles are well documented throughout history. Of course, no nation with 1.3 billion people has ever gone through such a growth period, and there are inherent risks involved. Industrial revolutions, worker revolts, economic crisis, resources, food, etc, etc, and of course there will be challenges with all things that civilization need to remain viable.


  • What is Going on With Real Internet Innovation and E-commerce?
    [Business:Innovation] Not long ago, I was discussing with a well-respected and successful Internet entrepreneur and thinker. His list of credentials exceeds just about anyone's on the topic. We got to talking about the reality of innovation and adaptation online. We discussed mobile internet use, 4-G technologies, iPhones, touchpads, real-time GPS data, social networks and even e-commerce.


  • What Does China, Manhood, AI, Internet Future and Innovation Have in Common?
    [Communications:Broadband-Internet] Ever wonder why sometimes coffee shop conversations are totally intriguing and other times they are completely without intellectual stimulation? Well, it's because some folks are not good at choosing their topics. Thankfully, I am not one of them, and yet, when I go to coffee shops for entertainment and conversation, I generally allow others to pick the topics with a caveat, you see once they get going, I add to the topic at hand.


  • We Don't Need to Legalize Marijuana - People Are Stupid Enough As it Is!
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Perhaps, you have been listening to all the arguments of why we should legalize marijuana. Some say we will be taking money from the drug cartels, and that means there will be less crime and less violence. These same advocates for legalizing marijuana will tell you that we can tax it, and therefore we can pay off all the debt that the states, counties, and cities have incurred.


  • Spontaneous Laser Light Human Cell Modification to Stem Cells For Instant Evolution
    [Reference-and-Education:Future-Concepts] There may be a way to get human cells to modify themselves back into stem cells for instant evolution using the junk DNA in the system. In other words, we might be able to get a human being to grow gills during a space flight for use once they get to their destination, or modify lungs to accept atmospheres much different from here on Earth. Consider if you will that other planets will have different percentages of gases in their atmosphere, which could cause instant havoc for the robust, but specifically evolved human bio-system.


  • Obama Care Health Care Rules For Business - Insanely Complicated
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] This Obama Care Health Insurance law is a nightmare and the last thing this nation needs right now, especially at a time when we need more jobs. The latest news is that the Obama Administration is intimidating large corporate health care insurance companies from raising rates. They have to, or they will go out of business, then you and I the taxpayer will end up paying for the losses incurred in public funded health care insurance.


  • Private Or Public Job Creation - Which Do You Think is Better?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] There is a lot of talk about job creation in this great nation, or should I say lack of - and the reality is I don't believe any legitimate economists trusts the government's numbers. Especially considering the ADP numbers seem to be much more accurate, and available sooner. Now then, the big debate is, which is better, public job creation - government jobs, or private sector jobs - from small businesses, and corporations. Some would say right now - any job is good.


  • Midlife Crisis, I Don't Think So!
    [Self-Improvement:Inspirational] You know if you are going to have a midlife crisis, now is as good of time as any to get your bearing straight. Not long ago, I was discussing this with someone over coffee, I told my acquaintance, who I knew to be going through their midlife crisis; I hope you are excellent today as you contemplate your next life journey and transition, how totally exciting, I understand where you are at. And I told them of my own personal challenges going through that.


  • Forget 2012, Asteroids, and Global Warming - Fear Earth's Magnetic Pole Flip!
    [Reference-and-Education:Paranormal] Okay, so you've lived through the cold war, Ice Age, Y2K, Peak Oil, Bird Flu, International Terrorists, and you are worried now about what exactly? Oh yes, Global Warming and 2012, but of course, ha ha ha. Aren't you getting too old for all this mass media hysteria and nonsense already? I mean how many decades do you have to live through before you realize these are all merely created realities to make you fear, knock you off your game, or transfer wealth.


  • A Discussion and Dialogue on the Dream World Debated
    [Health-and-Fitness:Sleep-Snoring] Many dreamologists believe that the global collective consciousness is growing and things are changing, they say this is for the better. But what is this collective consciousness they are talking about? Well, not long ago, someone tried to convince me of all this, claiming that while we dream our minds open up and are able to take in information, ask questions, get answers, and even solve problems.


  • Do You Believe Everything You Hear on TV - The Polls Suggest You Do
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] We all know that we cannot believe all that we read, hear, or see in the mass media, and yet, so many of us do. We all admit it is nonsense, but for someone reason people adopt it and claim it as their own, their personal opinions.


  • The Reason We Don't Have Any New Jobs - Is That We Don't Deserve Them!
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] It just blows me away that the everyone is so concerned with the job reports here in June/July of 2010. It's not that people shouldn't be concerned, they should, so too should the Obama Administration, but why now? I mean we've done nothing but trash on small businesses, caved into union demands, and increased regulation in our nation. Doesn't anyone read Ayn Rand's classics? I mean this is just nuts?


  • When Banks Can't Foreclose and Nations Can't Insist - Historical Perspective
    [Business:Accounting] Have you ever considered the reality that when you owe so much to a bank that they can't foreclose, or take the loss? This is a strategy that is often used in business. Kind of like Tramwell Crow in Atlanta or Trump in Atlantic City - no bank is willing to foreclose, they owed too much. This same strategy is used by nations.


  • New Dry Washing Products in the Mobile Car Wash and Detailing Sector Debated
    [Automotive] Before retirement, I franchised mobile car washes and detailing units around the US and a few foreign markets. And I was always amazed at the marketing of dry wash type products, some were sold as MLM or multi-level businesses, and others were sold as products from various detail supplies. Our company was a real franchise company, not any sort of MLM.


  • Angry Tax Payers Becoming Domestic Government Terrorists - Why Did it Happen?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Do you remember when a gentleman took his private plane and flew the darn thing into an IRS Building in Austin Texas? That's just crazy.


  • The Paradox of Gated Communities
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Many folks equate humor to irony and paradoxes, and that makes sense, it also makes jokes and comedy rather easy to remember, as those sorts of things seem to imprint well in our minds. Try this sometime, ask you go through the day watch for paradoxes.


  • Energy Costs and Economic Recovery Go Hand in Hand - How Soon We Forgeteth
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Okay so, everyone is sketchy on the prospects of a Double Dip in our economy, and let's be honest the Obama Administration botched the stimulus, similar to the Bush Administration botched those first few weeks as the troops went into Baghdad after they'd done an awesome job executing the war up until then. Not long ago, I was discussing the potential of a double dip or elongated recession, or even the possibility of entering a depression. We discussed the historical economic calamities of the past 100-years.


  • Peak Oil and Energy Dialogue
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Hey, do you mind if we have a reality based, look em' in the eye dialogue on oil and energy for a moment. I mean can't we just throw out the politics, global warming theory schemes and power plays, just once, just for a while so we can really talk turkey. You see, we are not going to get off coal and oil anytime soon, and solar and wind, well, it's not going to get us there, that's just silly, look at the charts and usage, no way, it's a pipe dream, let's get real, can we?


  • Give Your Mind a Rest Once in a While
    [Self-Improvement:Mind-Development] What is the secret to constant high output creative genius thinking, you ask? Well, over the years, I've trained my brain to think outside the box and to come up with at least two-new original thoughts per day, every single day without exception.


  • Leading by Example Or Leading by Polling the Citizenry - A Populist President's Dilemma
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] It appears to me that much of the media comments coming from the Obama Administration are reflections of the polling in the media. So, it's hard to say what to take as genuine when a speech or comments are made these days, as the comments change day-by-day and who is to say how much is misdirection, manipulation, keep them public happy, and pressing forward on the agenda and exploits needed to serve the will of our direction in the fighting of terrorists, or over all game [think RISK here].


  • Should You Discuss Career Changes With New Acquaintances?
    [Business:Career-Advice] Many folks are staying with whatever job they have now, for fear of being without one in the future. Economic hardships often cause folks to make such decisions and choices, even if that choice is to do nothing, at least temporarily.


  • "I Want to Be Successful in Life," She Said and She Wants to Do it With Article Marketing
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Article-Marketing] They say that nothing good in life is easy, and they also remind us that there are no simple shortcuts. But if you have ambition, passion, and perseverance you can get there in whatever you choose to be your goal. Not long ago, I was having this discussion with an online article writer and article marketer, and she made an interesting statement.


  • Interpol Diplomatic Immunity - I Hereby Object
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Everyone knows that in the United States we have agencies that watch out of cult organizations going astray, drug dealers, spies from other countries, and terrorists. Unfortunately all these sorts of folks are mobile, meaning you have to follow them, as they go from country to country.


  • How to Choose a New Career Considered
    [Business:Career-Advice] Choosing a new career is not needed, but when the writing is on the wall, sometimes action is what is most important. Some industries are just not long for this world, and I am not suggesting do what the rats do when the ship is sinking, rather, consider all your options early and often.


  • Inventors and Innovators Always Believe They Have the Greatest New Thing
    [Business:Innovation] In retirement, I've been running an ad hoc online style think tank, which I must say is very fun and quite interesting, I get to see things no one else does, and look at new innovations and inventions before the Venture Capitalists, government, patent office, etc. It's just plain fun, and some of the observations about innovation have been quite telling, especially when it comes to the minds of those creative geniuses that do the creating.


  • Our Ancestors and Great Founders Fathers - How Can We Live Up to That?
    [Self-Improvement:Motivation] We often allow the history books and our teachers to tell us of how great our founding fathers were, and our folks tell us how great their folks are or were, and so on. It might seem a little intimidating to us at times. But, I'd like you to ditch that notion and consider giving it your best anyway.


  • A Discussion on Article Marketing and Article Writing to Consider
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Article-Marketing] Over the past 5-years I've done a lot of research and enjoyed lots of practical knowledge in the article marketing and article writing realm. So, perhaps it might be a good idea to listen to some of my thoughts considering this venue. You see, many aspiring online marketing small business people contact me and ask me many questions.


  • I Only Have Six Months of Personal Expenses Saved - Should I Start a Business?
    [Business:Small-Business] Taking the plunge into starting a business of your own is not an easy choice, and you have to be realistic about what you are willing to endure. Also you have to look at your current obligations. Let's discuss this by taking a real life example, someone's real situation, perhaps not all to different from your own.


  • Committing it All to Memory Considered
    [Self-Improvement:Memory-Training] Human memory is a very complicated thing, actually the human mind is very complicated, and really it looks so simple. Here is a three pound organic human organ, with such amazing ability. As a studier of such things and an online writer, I've written a good amount about the human brain and memory, and I am fortunate to have one of these units, and it seems to work even better than expected, good for me I guess.


  • The Law of Thermodynamics As a Theory For Civilization Life Spans - Is it Accurate?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Not long ago, I was discussing with an acquaintance a theory that either he had come up with or one he'd read. It was using the law of thermodynamics to explain the gradual decay of a civilization. So, let's discuss this shall we?


  • Is an Avid Reader Lucky to Have That Much Free Time?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] For avid readers, it is a choice they've made in life to spend time reading rather than doing other stuff. Other stuff you ask? Sure, things like TV, hanging out with friends and having a beer, etc, all compete for your free-time, thus, it is a choice. You can either feed your mind or neglect it, it is totally up to you, no one else.


  • What Makes Sarah Palin So Popular As a Cultural Icon - Quick Dialogue
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Sarah Palin is definitely an interesting political and celebrity figure in the United States. Not long ago, I was having an interesting conversation with a gentleman who once was a staunch Sarah Palin supporter and then later changed his mind when Sarah Palin gave up her governorship due to the mounting lawsuits from politically inspired left-wing opponents. He also commented on the personal character issues that the left had raised in the media about Sarah Palin and her family.


  • Paradoxes, Anomalies, and Black Swans - Tell Me More
    [Reference-and-Education:Psychology] Not long ago, I had the most intriguing conversation about Paradoxes, and as we discussed this, we got diverted into a dialogue on Black Swans, Anomalies, and the differences between all three. Apparently, my acquaintance happened to be taking a writing class and was working on how to use paradoxes in poetry, and display words which could mean the opposite at times, or how sentences could have two meanings, exactly and diametrically opposed.


  • Global Warming Consensus - Surely You Jest?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Not long ago, all the nations got together to discuss Climate Change, and what to do about Global Warming, and even though it is a completely unproven and most likely completely wrong theory, they claim they have scientific consensus, and are thus, moving ahead. First, however they must get all nations onboard. So, how are they doing this?


  • US Inventors and Innovators Depressed Over Patent Violations - Who Wouldn't Be?
    [Business:Innovation] Not long ago, I was talking with an inventor, and he wanted to bring his invention to market, but was worried that someone in China would steal his invention and then mass produce it leaving him holding the bag. As we got to talking about this reality and real challenge in the field of innovative inventions and international patent law he made an interesting statement, when he said; "At some point you have to stop worrying about your patent being copied, and go do it."


  • General Aviation - Over Regulation, Lawsuits, & Liability Insurance Drags the Industry Down
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Aviation-Airplanes] It seems we are moving away from being a nation for the people and by the people to a nation that is for the lawyers and by the lawyers, leaving the rest of us to fund their endeavors. Why, I ask? Today's example in this epic long series of articles focuses on General Aviation and how FAA regulation, litigation, and aircraft insurance is dragging the general aviation insurance industry into the ditch. Let's start by reminding you that these are philosophical considerations in this article series spanning many-many sectors of the American way of life.


  • Business Innovation - Truck Trailer Snow Removal Prototype Engineering Advice Case Study
    [Business:Innovation] Solving problems and innovation go together, and no one knows that more than Tom Dravis, the inventor of a concept to remove snow from the top of a truck trailer while it is still in the truck yard so when it goes down the road that snow won't come off the top and kill someone or cause an automobile accident or death. Specifically, this has occurred and there have been wicked accidents and deaths in the state of Ohio during the winter time.


  • Venture Capitalists - Are They a Necessary Evil?
    [Business:Venture-Capital] Any venture capitalist you meet will be pretty high on themselves, and they will tell you they create economic activity. Of course, most entrepreneurs don't usually have that similar view, rather they see them as a necessary evil. Are VC a necessary evil? You see, in many regards Venture Capitalists have left a bad taste in the mouths of many economic development associations, but they realize that new ventures must have funding.


  • We Need an Innovative Solution to Stop Patriotic Foreign Hackers
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] There is a ton of hacking going on when it comes to US business and government computers being infiltrated. Much of this comes from China, and the Chinese Government claims not to be involved. And it is doubtful that anyone can do anything to stop the patriotic hackers in China, and they will not stop on their own. That means the industrial espionage will not stop, the intellectual property will not stop, and the exploitation of computer networks to disrupt civilization and opposing armies is now part of warfare and covert operations, it just is.


  • College Flying Club Case Study - Over Regulation and Over Lawyering Considered
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Aviation-Airplanes] First off, I believe you will enjoy today's case study, but first, before I begin, I need to make a few announcements. Although I am not a lawyer and this is not aviation legal advice, I have been made aware of a challenge with Federal Aviation Regulations, College Flying Clubs, and the use of aircraft to transport college students in other on-campus clubs to various destinations, which are not really feasible to drive to. CYA - I am not a lawyer, and this is not aviation legal advice.


  • More Petroleum Refining Means More Chemical For Plastic - Too Much? Innovation Needed
    [Business:Innovation] As we note there is new oil supply coming online in Iraq, Argentina, off shore in Brazil, and down the road they will have to open up Alaska, and the top of the world too. It's hard to say who is going to get the rights to the North Pole oil reserves, it might be a joint effort, but it means enough oil for the USA, as well as a growing China and India and all the other users on the planet.


  • What is Your Personal View on Venture Capitalists?
    [Business:Venture-Capital] The other day someone asked me what I thought about venture capitalists, and the reality is that over the years, I've had many thoughts, it's been a love-hate relationship. When I needed funding I was treated like crap. When my business was successful, often well-funded competing companies funded by venture capitalists would approach me to buy my company so they could continue their rapid expansion through acquisition; we were not for sale at the time, but the offers sure were enticing to contemplate. Retire rich, never work another day in my life, you can see the love-hate relationship now can't you.


  • Innovative Solutions For Water Supply Are Paramount
    [Business:Innovation] Indeed, when it comes to business innovation, all you really have to do is find a crisis, and search for opportunity. The bigger the crisis often the more money involved. Take the world water crisis for instance.


  • What Does G-20 Promises of Debt Reduction Really Mean?
    [News-and-Society:Economics] The G-20 Economic Summits are crucial to streamlining trade and money flows throughout the world. National Leaders need to be talking to each other, it is critical to maintain open communication, prevent political impasse, foster trade, and stop the marches towards wars due to misunderstandings, disrespect, or just plan hot tempers.


  • "Free Access to Knowledge For All Those Who Seek to Acquire It" He Demanded
    [Reference-and-Education] There are a lot of corporations that make a lot of money off information products. And there are a lot of companies which hold research papers in their digital libraries for a fee. The researchers make money when they are sold, and many of these services require subscriptions to belong if you'd like to read them. This is just one type of information product business models, there are many.


  • Most Searched Words on Bing, Yahoo, and Google Explored - Need a Better Searching System
    [Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Search-Engine-Marketing] It has often been said that; "dumb people talk about other people, smart people talk about events, and brilliant people talk about concepts," and if this is true, we should be able to tell exactly how smart a population is overall, the intelligence factor, by the type of searches they do online. Even though there is a lot of talk about the dummying down factor the Internet is causing, other signs appear to contradict such statements.


  • It's Time to Start Taxing the Poor in America!
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] When I tell people we need to start taxing the poor people in the United States they cringe. But why, I don't understand what the problem is, everyone should pay their fair share, and poor people generally soak up much more government services than the wealthy folks do. Also, most people (excluding those who had the good fortune to be born into wealth) who do make a lot of money once started out as people who didn't make very much money. So, you might as well get people used to paying your taxes before you get rich.


  • When it Comes Down to Wills and Trusts Don't Be Naive - Family Dynamics Change Quickly
    [Finance:Estate-Plan-Trusts] Indeed, most families believe that when their parents die that the kids will get along, divide up everything, and everything will be fine, and in a few rare cases that's true, but that is not the common occurrence. What usually happens is one of the offspring's is upset with the deal, wants their money given to them in a lump sum, or another offspring that is put in charge of distribution, likes to take a little bit more than they're supposed to, and they always have all sorts of justifications for doing so. And if you think this can happen in your family, the statistics are very much against you.


  • Will Iraqi Oil Output Kill the OPEC Cartel As World Production Dynamics Rapidly Change?
    [News-and-Society:Energy] Did you know the Iraqi oil fields are far larger than the Saudi Arabia oil fields? And did you know that even at $50 per barrel the United States has a trade deficit with Saudi Arabia of around $180 billion per year?


  • It is Incorrect to Say That Solar Power Does Not Contribute to Global Warming Theory!
    [News-and-Society:Eco-Innovations] Most people that are involved in the alternative energy sector will swear up and down that solar power does not contribute to global warming. However, this is totally not true. Did you know that the etching chemical that is used in the manufacturing process of solar panels, and is also used to manufacture such things as flat-panel displays, and iPads screens is a chemical that is actually 16,000 times more deadly as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide?


  • Find Your Passion and Add Perseverance! A Book Review For Career Success
    [Book-Reviews:Careers] We've heard the modern day business Titans tell college students who are graduating to get involved in an industry or profession that you love, one that you have passion for, and then work very hard and you will be successful. Indeed, no one could ever argue with that advice, because if you can find your passion and add perseverance to it, you will be successful, even if you don't make a lot of money. You will be one of the 20%, as goes the 80/20 rule in that area of human endeavor.


  • Taiwan and China - Let's Keep Them Trading and Talking Shall We?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] It wasn't too long ago that Gates stated that Russian relationships when it came to Iran were schizophrenic, and I'm sure that got a laugh out of everyone, and the reality is, it is true. Of course, it's not any more schizophrenic than foreign relations when it comes to China and Taiwan. Recently they announced a trade deal, but three months the prior China was angry at the United States for selling a missile defense system to Taiwan.


  • Is Your Website's "Portal Experience" All it Lives Up Too?
    [Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Web-Development] Every small business has a website, and every corporation has an interactive website these days. But just having a website isn't enough anymore, you need to make your company a website a portal.


  • Are You Being E-Vasive With Your Emailing?
    [Business:Workplace-Communication] Have you ever had an e-mail conversation with a new friend or acquaintance and you asked a question, but rather than answering your questions, answer all the other questions, they merely changed the subject, and hit the send button? And then you ask them again but somehow the question gets lost and they still don't answer you. Indeed, I am told this happens a lot in online dating, and that doesn't surprise me much. In fact, I was discussing this recently with someone over a cup of coffee at Starbucks.


  • The Real Problem With Running a Think Tank is They Don't Want the Problems Solved
    [Business:Innovation] The other day, I was sitting in Starbucks with a stack of six books on Middle Eastern history, and reading the Wall Street Journal. I was sipping on my Frappachino when someone came up to me and said; "you seem to have a lot or reading material there, are you a student, are you doing some kind of studying?" Apparently, his brother was in Iraq on his last tour of duty, and was currently in Afghanistan.


  • Predicting the Future One Puzzle Piece at a Time
    [Business:Innovation] If you really want to be a good futurist, then what you really need to do is become a multi-disciplinarian. You need to know a whole lot about a whole bunch of different subjects, the more information you know, and the more industry sectors you study, the more you can see things coming together and interacting.


  • China's Oil March in Africa Continues
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] We've seen recently the problems which can occur when large multinational conglomerate oil companies are not careful when drilling for oil. If you consider the BP oil spill or oil leak rather, and if you realize that the United States doesn't stand for violations of safety regulations, and yet, this happened anyway. Imagine what happens in a Third World country with large oil companies that come to town. One has to ask if the Chinese move to secure mining, mineral, or oil assets in some of these third world nations, will cause human rights to suffer, and if the environment is in jeopardy.


  • BP's Consumer, Legislative, Regulation, and Criminal Backlash Begins
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] The oil spill, or actually the leak in the Gulf of Mexico brought to us by British Petroleum will take years for a full and environmental recovery, or so the experts predict. And, I just bet that BPs reputation will also take years to heal. Indeed, I bet no one ever forgets it here in the US.


  • The Future of the Rotor Blade - Flying Cars Indeed Be Based on High Tech Helicopter Design!
    [Reference-and-Education:Future-Concepts] When people think of flying cars, they don't think about helicopters, after all wouldn't that be totally dangerous to have rotor blades spinning around above your head, while you are hovering around, or going to the local Starbucks or your grocery store. Indeed flying cars are assumed to have wings like aircraft, and perhaps some kind of a fan lift system where the blades are encased around the vehicle so they don't hurt anybody. Some Sci Fi drawings, concepts, and movies depict some sort of anti-gravity device and the cars fly magically, like a magic carpet for instance.


  • Anti-American Sentiment is Unacceptable - It's Hate Speech and Cannot Be Tolerated!
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] What is it with the international news media and all the anti-American sentiment that we get to view on Television? It's amazing what we put up with, and it hardly matters who is leading our country, or what great things we do in the world, they're always giving us a hard time.


  • Working Bipartisanly Does Not Mean Agreeing to Spend the Country Into Oblivion
    [News-and-Society:Politics] When president Obama and the Obama administration were trying to pass Obama Care, they told the Republicans they want to work in a bipartisan way. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a media staged event, and after it was all over President Obama who probably had to go to the bathroom after sitting there that long made a very brief few comments. He basically told the Republicans in the room that if they didn't like what they we're doing, and they didn't have any suggestions to help them do what they were doing, then they were going to ram it down their throats anyway, of course the way he said it was much more eloquent, as is his style.


  • Why Wear a Wrist Watch? It is a Silly Linear Single Functioning Device - How Lame is That?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] About 10-years ago Bill Gates was at the famous Comdex show in Las Vegas, and he had with him a voice activated, speech recognition wristwatch which was able to surf the Internet, and send out e-mails. This little nifty invention was quite cool back in 2000, but unfortunately it really wasn't ready yet. Today with the iPhone Four we see that we can surf the Internet, send e-mails, and use a touch screen.


  • Over Half of Company Insurance Plans No Longer Legally Valid Due to Obama Care
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Many people believe that now that Obama Care has passed that the country can get back to normal. The reality is the nightmare is just beginning. Many corporations are looking at the fines that will be levied against them if they do not cover their employees with health care, versus the cost of actually providing healthcare insurance, and determining that it will be five times cheaper to pay the fines, rather than pay for the healthcare. That my friends, is a huge and significant cost savings, and as a business person, it is actually something that I would consider.


  • The Only Problem With Living in an Airpark is the Noise - Be a Good Neighbor
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Aviation-Airplanes] Wouldn't it be fun to live at an airport? You probably think I'm crazy, but being a pilot it is something I have considered. I would be just as happy living inside of an aircraft hangar, perhaps in a loft, with a small kitchenette, a few rows of bookshelves, and a comfortable bed. Thus, able to jump in my airplane any time I wanted, knowing that I had complete freedom. Perhaps this is why some people live at airparks. Not long ago, I talked to an individual who actually lives at an Airpark, on the street, get this; Raytheon Drive.


  • We Need a Dramatic Increase in Public Oversight Over Elected Officials
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] It is amazing how low the approval rating is of the U.S. Congress. It seems all we hear about is how our elected representatives are playing the stock market, and investing for or against the same companies they are regulating. We already know about all of the lobbyists, and how they write the bills that the Congress doesn't read a few days before; and how the Congress then passes within 48 hours even though the bills are often in excess of 3000 pages obviously no one has read it. We are also well aware of the revolving door where regulators become lawyers in private practice, defending the companies that as regulators they were previously enforcing.


  • France is a Socialist Nation - Yet, France's World Cup Soccer Team Plays As Individuals - Why?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] We all know that France is a socialist country, and yet when we watched them play at the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa it was very interesting because the team members didn't work well together, they didn't pass the ball very much, or attempt to use the synergy of the team. And, perhaps because of this they didn't make it into the quarterfinals.


  • The Psychology of Solar Flares Discussed
    [Reference-and-Education:Psychology] You may not have ever considered it, but there might be some sort of correlation between solar flares and human behavior. Consider if you will some of the evidence for solar system happenings and human behavior, for instance, we do know that on very hot days [heat comes from the Sun] there are more road rage calls into the Highway Patrol, and you can even study this for yourself, when the weather is very hot and muggy, or just plain wicked hot you will notice more aggressive driving, and see more people using their middle finger gestures more.


  • Did You Know Petroleum, Diesel Fuel, and Oil Spills Often Attract Lobsters?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Call me crazy if you want but I always like to look on the bright side of things, perhaps it goes back to my father's or his father's philosophy of life. And that goes for whatever is happening, whether it's a terrible tragedy, major catastrophe, or just a little inconvenience in my life. Take the British Petroleum oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico for instance, they say that it will take years for the environment to heal, and get back to normal and that maybe true, at least in some areas. But did you know that lobsters are attracted to petroleum distillates, crude oil, and even spilt diesel fuel? It's true.


  • We Need Laws to Allow Borrowing of Designs and Innovations From China For US Citizens
    [Business:Innovation] Anyone who manufactures anything in the United States, and all the innovators and inventors know that if they come up with a new product and start producing it, even if they have a patent, it will be copied by someone in China, it will be mass produced, and it will be sold all over the world for much cheaper than they can afford to produce it for. At some point this disincentive for innovators and inventors will cause fewer innovations and inventions to come forth in the United States.


  • Pervasive Invasion of Privacy - Is Government Replacing Santa Clause?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] We all know that the NSA has supercomputers which scan all of the Internet traffic, and international phone calls, as they are looking for things which might be threats to our nation's national security. Not everyone is very thrilled with this, but, as long as it is computers doing it, and not a bunch of humans go into your private information, it perhaps doesn't cause you alarm. Let's discuss this from a philosophical perspective for a moment shall we?


  • Are Socialist Voters More Greedy Then Entrepreneurial Capitalists?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] You know, as an entrepreneur and a business person, I get tired of people calling me some sort of greedy capitalist. The reality is that when I produce something that the consumers, customers, or my clients want, I am doing them a favor, and I am spending my time, my capital, and my efforts to bring those goods and services to market. If I didn't exist, or if people like me didn't exist, everything you see, everywhere you go in this great nation wouldn't exist. Why don't you do a favor for me right now.


  • Is Free Enterprise in America Yielding to a Socialist Leadership in DC? Book Review
    [Book-Reviews:Politics] For some reason we seem to be having a little class warfare in America. These things have happened before, and not just in the United States, there has always been a divide between rich and poor. Unfortunately, and I believe it started with the whole "Joe the Plumber" argument during the last presidential election.


  • Global Warming Alarmists Working Hard to Over Shout Scientific Reason and Reality
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] The global warming alarmists seem to want everyone to jump into their game. They want people to put up evidence and research, along with the empirical data to prove that the planet is not heating up due to the CO2 that mankind is putting in the atmosphere. But, if the climate is heating up, and CO2 is not the problem, then it's not realistic to expect someone to prove a false negative.


  • Raw Acceleration and Power - There's Nothing Wrong With It!
    [Automotive:Motorcycles] They say that "absolute power, corrupts absolutely," and whereas, "they" may be correct, I'd just as soon have all the raw acceleration and power I can get. In fact I don't see anything wrong with that. In my youth I had very fast motorcycles, among the fastest production street bikes in the world.


  • Machine Language Translation - Human Translation - Reality Check
    [Reference-and-Education:Languages] Wouldn't it be great if we could have software which could actually translate languages, one that would be as accurate as possible all the time? Apparently, it's a lot more difficult than we think to get this done, and no one has been able to do it just quite right yet. The computers can understand what people are saying when they talk due to voice recognition, but computers don't actually understand what is being said.


  • Afghanistan's Trillion Dollar Mineral Deposits and Bolivia's Mining Infrastructure Dilemma
    [News-and-Society:Environmental] Perhaps you have heard that in Afghanistan they have found between one and $4 trillion worth of mineral deposits. And when you look at the list of exotic metals, energy resources, and important minerals it's almost as if Afghanistan, a landlocked country in the middle of nowhere, is sitting on a gold mine of raw materials. Of course there is a challenge to all this; Afghanistan still doesn't have adequate roads and highways. And it certainly doesn't have major roads between some of the largest mineral deposits.


  • How to Build an Artificial Intelligent Strategy Enabling Computers to Out Innovate Humans
    [Reference-and-Education:Future-Concepts] Is it possible to build an artificial intelligent computer which can out Innovate humans? I believe we can do this, and I also believe that we give far too much credit to human intelligence, especially when it comes to creativity. Further, I believe this is because we just don't quite understand this ability of the human brain. However, as a creative person myself, or at least someone possessing the ability to come up with new concepts and original thoughts on a daily basis, it doesn't seem so awfully difficult.


  • All Chinese Steel Pipe Used in the Oil and Gas Industry Must Go Through Rigorous Inspections
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Everybody's looking at the BP oil spill and agrees that it is a horrible environmental disaster, but it is my contention that there will be many more environmental disasters, on a smaller scale due to the fact that the Chinese are using iron ore to make steel pipes, and that iron ore is not of the same quality is the iron ore that the United States is used to using. The iron ore in the United States is very pure, but many of the iron ore mines around the world do not contain very pure iron ore. This means when the process is completed and Chinese steel pipes are made, they won't be as strong.


  • Methane Powered Rockets - Sounds Like It's Time to Pass Gas!
    [Reference-and-Education:Science] Private space flight is all the rage, and there is a very cool company that is now using methane rockets to help transport people to the upper atmosphere and into space. Now then, if you'll recall this very unfortunate BP oil leak, you will also note that a lot of what is coming out of the broken pipes on the ocean floor in the Gulf of Mexico is not only oil, but also methane gas. Meaning, we have more methane than we know what to do with, and that's good news for the company that is building these methane powered rockets.


  • Internet Freedom - Pakistan, China, Turkey, Iran, Syria, US, and Iceland - Let's Communicate!
    [Internet-and-Businesses-Online] Obviously, Iran restricts social networks now due to the uprising during their last elections and it doesn't want anyone Twittering, or posting to MySpace, FaceBook, or other locations online. They've even been so bold as to use microwaves to block satellite TV coming from the US and other places. Censorship online and in the media is alive and well throughout the world.


  • Tiger Woods and the Media Attacks
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Golf] Do you recall when the media went on a 24/7 assault of the greatest golfer of all time; Tiger Woods? It seems to me and I'd like to make a serious statement here; The media needs a counter balance when it comes to "pile on effect" as things get out of control.


  • Heartburn and Acid Reflux - Health and Fitness Discussion
    [Health-and-Fitness:Heartburn-and-Acid-Reflux] It seems there sure is a lot on television about acid reflux and heartburn these days, and you can barely watch an hour or two of TV without seeing at least one commercial from a pharmaceutical company recommending some great new drug, offered by prescription only, with some fancy name with lots of Z'z, Y's, or X's in it. They promise to help against chest pains, burping, bloating, gas, ulcers, and fix any of the symptoms, nausea, causes, and restore you back to a happy you.


  • Are We a Nation of Hypochondriacs? - Let's Discuss Health Phobias For a Moment
    [Health-and-Fitness:Phobias] When it comes to health and fitness, whether it is physical or mental health, the world of health phobias is alive and well. Indeed, you don't have to go too far to read an article on the topic. One big national discussion we are having right now has to do with PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, specifically those coming home from Afghanistan and Iraq, but this is a mental condition, which manifests as a physical condition. But this is just one type of clinical phobias, we have an even larger problem in the US, let me explain.


  • If Iran Gets a Nuclear Weapon Will the World Have to Get Used to It?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Nuclear proliferation is a real problem in the present period and it is getting more serious all the time. Today we have both North Korea and Iran moving forward with regards to their nuclear weapons programs. This is serious business, and we need more than merely a global discussion on this, we need to put an end to rogue nation nuclear weapon proliferation.


  • Why You Might Want to Check That Family Tree of Yours
    [Home-and-Family:Genealogy-Family-Trees] Some folks are not so concerned with who they are, or exactly where they came from, but I happen to come from a family that does very much care, both sides of my family actually. Interestingly enough, perhaps like you, personally I didn't care all that much, but you know what? Genealogy, that is the study of one's family tree is something that grows on you.


  • Early Childhood Education Material - What Makes Sense - Shop Around
    [Home-and-Family:Early-Childhood-Education] Parents want their kids to succeed, and unfortunately some parents did not accomplish all they'd hoped for personally and thus, now wish to live vicariously through their kids, some may not even admit that, which is fine. Still, a parent needs to balance forced childhood education with allowing their child to be the child that they are.


  • Were All the Founding Fathers of America Honorable?
    [News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] It is the victors who re-write history and contrary to popular belief not all of our Founding Fathers were as honorable as you might expect, contrary to what you may have been taught in school. You know our founding fathers must have understood that as they designed that checks-and-balance system, and not all of them were even as righteous as our history would have us believe (I estimate 1/3 were crooks, just out for wealth). This is not to say that what they created was not desirable for our future young nation.


Displaying 1 - 250 of 20,849 [Prev] [Next]


© EzineArticles.com - All Rights Reserved Worldwide.